263 A Visi (1/2)
The carriage suddenly stopped, waking Leopold from his sleep. He yawned and rubbed his white beard.
”Why did we stop?”
”Inspection” Rupert said beside, the old royal guard looked different without his usual armor.
Leopold slid the window open. A breath of salty wind skirted inside. He shut his eyes, raised his nose and indulged.
”Now this is air Rupert. I have grown to miss the ocean breeze. In the past, the late Marquis Benedict Connel would only seldom invite me to Greenwater.”
”I know” Rupert's back remained straight like a tower of Nirvana. ”I accompanied you in all of your trips to Greenwater. You always had doe eyes whenever you look at the ocean.”
”Ah who wouldn't? The ocean is a wonder. It is water Rupert. Same water with the river and lakes. But it is endless. Tell me a thing more preposterous than that.”
”More preposterous? Maybe the fact that you just dragged me from my sleep one night and brought me in your unplanned trip. That is more preposterous than the ocean sire.”
”It is not unplanned. I've been meaning to meet William since spring.”
”But trips require planning. We are short on coins, you only have me as your guard and you didn't even bring supplies.”
”That is part of the adventure. Omniscience. I feel like a young man again. I've actually had the idea of just riding a horse with you. You and me, riding to Holm, two men cucked by the same arse. But alas we are old and so the carriage is inevitable.”
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Two soldiers walked briskly to the carriage. Both men wore the splendid uniform of the Vanadians.
”Bern Ceolin, Eight Century, Goldentrout Legion. You are entering the vicinity of Holm. I must ask for your identities and purpose of visit.” said one of the soldiers, a sharp-chinned man with a hazel hair that flows out of his helm.
”Leopold Castonia and my companion is Rupert Coln. The carriage driver is Fres.”
”Leopold Castonia?” The sharp-chinned soldier glanced a look at his companion. ”The Leopold Castonia? Father to His Majesty?”
Yes boys, Leopold thought. The King is my son.
”In flesh. You've heard about my son's latest victory right?” He asked, smiling.
”Of course sire. He...”
”He smashed the Hadeans!” Leopold leaned further out to the window. ”The Hadeans had fortified a crossing. Trenches! And towers! But no, my son still slapped them with defeat. Oh glorious. It was glorious. He forced the Hadeans to attack him instead. I think...”
”Sire” Rupert pulled him. The royal guard pointed to the back. ”Other travelers are waiting to be inspected. I think talking could wait after we are out of the way.”
”Right” Leopold gave a nod. He again leaned out of the window. ”Anything else?”
”Pardon us sire but we still must ask for the purpose of your visit.”
”Ah yes. I am here to visit my son William.”
”The General? Do you want us to send you an escort?”
”That will be great”
***
”Do not slouch!” William's voice boomed in the fort. The fifteen hundred men snapped into attention despite their trickling sweat.
He walked with hands clasped behind and regarded them with a glare. They were in formation and full armor. They were a fast learner batch. But their form still lacked pride.
”Slouching reveals your tiredness to the enemy. Once they see you slouch, they gain courage. Never slouch. Even when you die do not slouch.”
He halted, boots gripping against the powdery brown soil. His armor bugged him down. His helmet was sweaty and slimy on the inside. But William maintained an appearance fit to his rank.
”At ease. Sit” He barked. The Vanadians sat on the ground in one crisp movement.
”You all might be wondering when you are going to taste some action. The Castonian legions are grinding Wismar into dust as we speak. The Vanadian navy is sinking Calgarian ships left and right. But you are stuck here. Now do not worry. It will be soon. By the end of the month I think.”
There was commotion in the ranks. The Vanadians buzzed.
”I told you to sit but I didn't give my permission for you to talk.”
The murmurs died like snuffed candle. William trotted froward. ”Of the five Vanadian legions yours have the least training and you men are the greenest. I...”
William was interrupted by his squire running to him. The lad made a clumsy salute.
”A carriage arrived sire”
”And?”
”They say it is your father”
William rumpled his forehead. He eyed the squire, searching for a semblance of a jest. But the lad was serious it seemed.
He turned to the trainees. ”Rest. We resume in a while. And if you still slump, none of you will go to Wismar. Am I understood?”